Torpedo



J. H. HAMMOND, JR

Sept. 6 1927.

TORPEDO Original Filed Aug. 2, 1913 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATM N578 Sept. 6 1927.

J. H. HAMMOND, JR

TORPEDO Original Filed Aug. 2, 1915 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES 4 ORA/E78 P 1927' J. H. HAMMOND, JR

TORPEDO Original Filed Aug. 2, 1915 WITNESSES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR flaw wzmi ATTORNEYS torpedoes.

- cover H,

Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES PFATENT' OFFICE.

'TORPEDO.

Application filed August 2, 1913, Serial M invention relates to submarine automobile torpedoes and to their protection from hostile fire, as well as to means for increasing their stability and speed, and for maintaining them at any desired depth of submergence, and relates more particularly to torpedoes controlled b radiant energy.

In the accompanying rawings:-

Figure 1 shows a side view of one of my Figure 2 shows an end view of one of my torpedoes. Y

Figure 3 shows a side View, partly in section, of one of my torpedoes.

Figured shows a top view partly in section, of one of my torpedoes.

F igure 5 shows a side view of one of my torpedoes with a modified form of masts and antenna.

Figure 6 shows a torpedoes.

Figure 7 shows an end view of one of my torpedoes, with a modified form of masts and antenna.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of one of my torpedoes. I In thefigures, a torpedo with a spindleshaped hull T has a deep keel F with a, heavy bulb K arranged to give stability. A superstructure S is filled with cork, or similar substance, and serves to protect the vital parts of the torpedo from hostile fire. as well as to give it buo ancy. Planes or rudders P, P P P P F P, P" and P with horizontal axes, at both ends of the hull, can be set at any suitable angle, so that as the torpedo goes ahead it can be-made to run top view of one of my at any depth desired, the vertical component of the pressure of the water on the planes being batanced by the buoyancy of the vessel. The torpedo may thus float at a certain water-line when at rest, but when running will be forced down by the planes to a deeper draft, so giving more protection to the hull and machinery. These planes may be-attached to the superstructure instead of to the hull. A manhole J, with watertight affords a means of entrance through the superstructure into the interior of the hull.

An antenna A, for the reception of radiant energy, is su ported on masts, each of which consists o a lower portion, M and M preferably hollow .and made of metal,

ably made of wood. These masts, however,

No. 782,590. Renewed August 25, 1923.

may be made of any suitable material. Openings V and V in the lower portion of the masts, serve to ventilate the interior .of the hull, and a fan or blower B either exhausts the foul airand gases from the interior, or brings in fresh-air.

In Figures 5, 7 and 8, where a modified form of masts and antenna is shown, A is an antenna supported on a plurality of masts, each of which may consist of a single piece, or of two parts, as shown. M, M, M and M are the lower portions of these masts, and M, M, M and M are the upper portions. These masts are connected by a supporting framework or latticework consisting of upwrights N, NN of inclined or diagonal members 0, OO, the latter being either rigid orflexible, and of a horizontal member Q, Q, Q, either rigid or' flexible. In case one or more of the masts are shot away, this framework or latticework will support 'the others and maintain the antenna in working condition. The members of the framework may consist of metal, wood, wire or rope, or any other suitable material.

' The'torpedo itself may be made of any suitable material, and whlle the shapes of its parts are in general such as described and ones which lie with the scope of my invention.

I may employ any suitable radio receivin apparatus in connection with my antenna,

and I. may use any appropriate means for propelling and steering my torpedo.

In general, I do not confine myself to the particular apparatus and forms'here shown, but various changes and modifications, within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, may be made in the particular apparatus and formsyshown and described herein, without departing from the spirit of my invention, provided the means set forth in the following claims be employed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim a 1. In a torpedo, the combination of a hull tapered toward both ends, a superstructure intermediate the ends of the hull, having a width less than the width of 'the hull, and having its upper surface substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hull, said superstructure containing buoyant, shotabsorbing material, a fin bulb keel arranged centrally below the hull, and rudders, turning on horizontal axes, adapted to be set at any angle of inclination.

2. In a torpedo, the combination of a hull tapered toward both ends, a superstructure 5 intermediate the ends of the hull, said superstructure containing buoyant, shot-absorbing material, a heavy keel arranged centrally below the hull, masts consisting of a lower,

hollow part, extending through the superstructure to the hull and an upper solid part, and rudders turning on horizontal axes adapted to be set at any angle of inolination. a

This specification signed this 29th day of July, A. D., 1913.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR. 

